Home remedies for Canker sores will speed up the process of healing; lessen the pain and the irritation. Although these kinds of sores tend to disappear with time, you can simply save much time, itching, and painful sensation using these unbelievable treatments.
What Are Canker Sores?
Canker Sores (a.k.a. aphthous ulcer or aphthous stomatitis) are small and painful lesions that appear along the lining of cheeks, lips, gums, and the soft palate. Although they last for almost a week or two, they can still be very debilitating as they cause certain limitations to your speaking, eating, swallowing due to the burning and tingling feeling.
What are the causes?
Before digging into the Home Remedies for Canker Sores, let’s navigate through the causes.
Multiple factors play a role in developing Canker Sores such as:
Vigorous tooth brushing
Braces or dentures or sports accident
Acidic food
Allergy to certain types of food
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate containing toothpaste
Hormones
Diet lacking vitamins B12, zinc, folic acid, and iron
Smoking
Emotional stress
Gastrointestinal tract diseases (e.g. Celiac Disease and Crohn’s Disease)
Autoimmune Diseases
Certain drugs that include but are not limited to (Aspirin, NSAIDS, Beta-Blockers, Phenytoin, and Chemotherapeutic agents.
What are Home Remedies for Canker Sores?
Here are the most effective treatments which you can choose among these plentiful options, the most convenient one.
Mouth Washes
1-Salt water rinse
This is the simplest ever Home remedy for Canker Sores as the ingredients are available in every home. It exerts its action through drying the Sores.
Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt in a cup of water then swirl the solution for a few seconds and spit it out. You can repeat these easy steps every few hours until you reach your goal.
2- Baking Soda Rinse
One of the easiest Home Remedies for Canker Sores as well. The main action of baking soda is to restore the PH balance and lessen inflammation.
Dissolve one teaspoonful of baking soda in a cup of water then swirl the solution for a few seconds and spit it out. You may repeat these steps every few hours then as needed.
3- Apple Cider vinegar
It changes the PH of the mouth and kills bacteria. Because it may worsen the Canker Sore in some people, you should be cautious while using it.
Mix one teaspoon of ACV and a cup of water to obtain your mouthwash, and then swish the mixture for one minute. Spit it out and rinse your mouth. Repeat this routine as needed daily.
4- Sage Mouthwash
Known for antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and astringent properties, sage has traditionally been used for many oral cavity problems, and is considered one of the most effective Home Remedies for Canker Sores. You may prepare your mouthwash or use a pharmaceutical formula.
Soak 2 tablespoons of fresh sage leaves in boiling water for minutes. Then remove the leaves and let the solution cool. Swish the solution for a few minutes. You can either swallow or spit it out, as you like.
5- Deglycyrrhizinated licorice mouthwash
DGL is an herbal licorice extract that has anti-inflammatory properties. It is available in pharmacies as capsules.
Mix the powder of one capsule with one cup of warm water and swish the solution for a couple of minutes. Then spit it out and repeat this process as needed.
6- Echinacea
Its wound healing and immune-stimulating characterizations promote healing of the sore and prevent its formation in the first place.
Mix equal parts of liquid Echinacea to warm water. Swish the solution for a few minutes. You may swallow it or spit it out. Repeating this process three times daily will help you get rid of the sores very soon.
Pastes
Alum powder (a.k.a. potassium aluminum sulfate)
Due to its astrigent effects, it dries out the Sores and that is why it is one of the most efficient Home Remedies for Canker Sores.
Mix a small amount of alum powder with a drop of water to make a paste then apply to the Sores, leave it for one minute, and rinse your mouth. This process shall be repeated a few times until the sore is eliminated.
Direct application
1-Ice chips
It is the secret weapon of relieving pain by allowing the ice chip to dissolve slowly in your mouth.
2-Honey
Honey is known for its antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and healing properties, and it is one of Home Remedies for Canker Sores. To obtain the best results, apply high-grade honey that is neither pasteurized nor filtered.
3-Aloe Vera gel
It has an anti-inflammatory and immune-stimulating effect, so it reduces both pain and inflammation.
4- Coconut oil
Also known for its antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, coconut oil lessens pain and redness as well to a noticeable degree.
Apply it directly to the Canker Sore many times per day until it disappears.
5-Hydrogen peroxide
It has antibacterial effects, so it decreases your chances of getting infected with Canker Sore.
Mix equal parts of water and 3% hydrogen peroxide then use a cotton swab to apply the mixture to the sore a few times per day.
5- Milk of magnesia (a.k.a. magnesium hydroxide)
It exerts its effects through changing the oral cavity PH and covering the sore, thus preventing irritation and pain.
Directly apply a small amount of milk of magnesia to the sore and leave it for a few seconds before you rinse your mouth. This can be repeated up to three times daily.
6- Watermelon frost
It has been used in Chinese Medicine as one of the Home Remedies for Canker Sores. It is available as a powder, tablet, and spray to be applied directly to the sore for rapid healing and pain-alleviating effects.
Compresses
Chamomile compress
Chamomile has been used for its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic characteristics to heal wounds and reduce pain.
Administer a wet chamomile tea bag on the sore and leave it for a few minutes, then rinse your mouth with fresh chamomile tea. Repeat this process up to four times daily.
Lozenges
Zinc lozenges
Zinc is an immune-boosting mineral, so it has an antibacterial effect that helps to resolve the Sores. Lozenges are available at the pharmacies and online as well.
Supplements
Vitamin B complex
Vitamin C
Dietary Changes
Yogurt
It has been hypothesized that lactobacillus plays a role in eradicating Helicobacter pylori.
If you eat a cup of yogurt daily, this may prevent and even treat the Sores.
Carrot, celery, and cantaloupe juices may have a role in the quick recovery of Canker Sores as well.
Although there are plentiful effective Home Remedies for Canker Sores, This does not replace the fact that you need to visit your dentist if the condition is getting worse in either frequency or multiplicity.
Summary
Natural home remedies for Canker Sores are efficient treatments aiding the healing process and the relief of pain. So say goodbye to Canker Sores, and remember that next time when you have one, you are going to conquer them easily.
Read about: Home Remedies
Read about: Home Remedies
Read about: Home Remedies
Read about: Home Remedies
Read about: Home Remedies
By: Dr. Hoda Elasmar
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